Ok,

I've decided on my next preamp/processor and it's going to be an Anthem D2 with the Gennum VXP video-processing chip (same one used in the new Lumagen Radiance (MSRP $6K) and PixelMagic Crystalio II (MSRP $4.5K - $5.5K). So given the price of the Athem D2, you basically get a scaler for 'free'. :)

I'm posting here as I'm wondering if there are any CRT'ers using the Anthem D2 that could offer any "CRT-centric" pearls of wisdom or hints/tips/shortcomings/lessons learned?


http://www.curtpalme.com/kal/D2_front.jpg
http://www.curtpalme.com/kal/D2_back.jpg

Some highlights of the video processing features:


1080i inverse telecine and true per-pixel motion adaptive de-interlacing of 480i/1080i with 3:2 and 2:2 inverse telecine, bad edit correction and advanced dynamic directional interpolation for eliminating jaggy artifacts.
Cadence lock to 48Hz and 72Hz for film source to provide ultra-smooth playback.
Per input settings. In other words, everything can be customized per input, including: gamma correction, contrast, brightness, tint and colors, CUE filtering, film mode on/off, noise reduction, cropping, aspect ratio control, etc.
Supports any output rez/resolution and has a powerstrip-like PC editor applications for playing with porch settings, refresh rates (47.952Hz, 71.928Hz, etc).
Gamma compensation with complete edit control of the curve.


The only real shortcoming I see (for me) that I've been able to come across is that you can't create custom interlaced resolutions with their custom PC app and I'd likely want to use an output resolution of 1080i/71.928Hz to my Barco Cine8 Onyx.

71.928Hz refresh rate isn't offered in any of the built-in resolutions. Their tech support has promised to look into this however. Worse case, maybe I can get them to simply add 1080i/71.928 to the list of 'regular' resolutions which currently are:

http://www.curtpalme.com/kal/D2_output_video_resolutions.jpg

If 1080i/60 is the only thing possible for now, I may even consider doing 1080p/47.952.

So something to keep in mind if you're in the market yourself.

There's a huge (137 page and growing) Anthem D2 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=678260) thread over in the AMPs, Receivers, and Processors forum but I haven't found anyone with a CRT using this so I'm posting here to get the CRT side of things as nobody over there seems to care about the same things as us.

Some pictures of the custom PC application:

Creating a custom gamma curve:
http://www.curtpalme.com/kal/D2_custom_gamma.jpg

Setting a custom output resolution:
http://www.curtpalme.com/kal/D2_custom_rez.jpg

(Not the prettiest interface and certainly not as nice as the Crystalio interface, but I guess it gets the job done).

Kal

Only thing I can add (not owning one) is that you will need a HDMI input for your CRT, as due to copyright laws this one can not upscale copy protected material over it's analogue outputs.

Scalers are an exception to this rule, but this is not a stand alone scaler.

In the states the MSRP for the Radiance is $4000. The D2 MSRP is $6700. I have used all three.While the Radiance is still is in early beta, it ultimately would be the best choice for a CRTer because of all the calibration features.

Video processors are NOT an exception to HDMi HDCP licensing restrictions. The Radiance only has an HDMI out, no analog. However, cheap illegal devices are available to convert HDMI to RGBHV so we CRTers can view content the same way as digital displayers can. No one I know in the CRT groups uses these devices for an illegal purpose, copying. We use them just so we can view the content on our ancient displays. Content providers want as many as possible to purchase content or watch sponsored content. Devices are available starting at about $135.

Only thing I can add (not owning one) is that you will need a HDMI input for your CRT, as due to copyright laws this one can not upscale copy protected material over it's analogue outputs.

In the states the MSRP for the Radiance is $4000. The D2 MSRP is $6700. I have used all three.While the Radiance is still is in early beta, it ultimately would be the best choice for a CRTer because of all the calibration features.

Video processors are NOT an exception to HDMi HDCP licensing restrictions. The Radiance only has an HDMI out, no analog. However, cheap illegal devices are available to convert HDMI to RGBHV so we CRTers can view content the same way as digital displayers can. No one I know in the CRT groups uses these devices for an illegal purpose, copying. We use them just so we can view the content on our ancient displays. Content providers want as many as possible to purchase content or watch sponsored content. Devices are available starting at about $135.

We're talking about two different things. Any analogue source with a Macrovision or CGMS signal will not be upscaled to the analogue outputs of this amp. This is a rule stand alone video processors don't have to adhere to.

Only thing I can add (not owning one) is that you will need a HDMI input for your CRT, as due to copyright laws this one can not upscale copy protected material over it's analogue outputs.

Scalers are an exception to this rule, but this is not a stand alone scaler.
Yes - this is where the HDfury ( http://www.curtpalme.com/CRTforSale_3rdparty_products.shtm#HDfury) or other similar solutions from JohnHWman or Moome come into play. Already covered. :)

Kal

In the states the MSRP for the Radiance is $4000. The D2 MSRP is $6700. I have used all three.While the Radiance is still is in early beta, it ultimately would be the best choice for a CRTer because of all the calibration features.
Interesting point Mark. Thanks for the input.

I was primarily looking at the D2 (over the D1) for the HDMI inputs so that I could do lossless audio over LPCM. (Yes, I could also do lossless with 5 or 7 analog inputs on the D1 preamp but I don't want to go that route. I want the prepro to do all of bass management and D->A conversion, and not all HD-DVD/BluRay players have analog outs anyway. There's about a $2000 MSRP difference between the D1 and D2 and I won't be paying anywhere near that).

So I chose to go the D2 route ... the fact that it does hi-end video processing is just a bonus to me so I was curious if anyone had really used the D2 video processing features on a CRT projector.

I agree the Radiance would be the best choice, but then that's an extra $4000 MSRP on top of what I already plan on spending.

Since you've used all 3, what sort of features did you find the Radiance had that the D2 does not? Just curious.

Kal

This is just a "pre-amp" so you still need a amp to make it work for you?

Chip

Chip: Correct. This is just a pre-amp. A good match is the P5 5-channel amp at 5x325W:

http://www.hometheatermag.com/images/archivesart/1206anthem.1.jpg

It's a monster though: 9" high, almost 2 feet deep, 130 lbs. Has 2 power cords as well.

Kal

I thought you matched your power amp to your speakers, not your preamp. Nice cosmetic match though...

I'm considering the D2 for the same reasons as Kal. TTT for some replies

The D1 has been discontinued. It was an audio processor only. The D2 of course is both audio and video. A d1 can be upgraded by the factor directly for something like $1900,


the Radiance is only in beta. Its scaling is much better than the scaling in the Gennum chip used by both Lumagen and Anthem. It is too early from commenting on features in the Lumagen which have not been enabled yet and besides I am under an NDA.

The only real shortcoming I see (for me) that I've been able to come across is that you can't create custom interlaced resolutions with their custom PC app and I'd likely want to use an output resolution of 1080i/71.928Hz I'm thinking this is a really cool pre that I might eventually want to own--until read that. For 8" CRTers that just sucks. Still a cool pre, but unless you own a 9" PJ, the scaler isn't going to be of much use.

Maybe when I get a 9" PJ or go digital...

Holy Cow, 2 Power cords make sure you get two of these (http://www.elcoaudio.com/hpc10/) and they are impendence matched or else who know what would happen, perhaps the end of life as we know it. :) Sorry I don’t what to pull this thread off track on the whole power cord discussion but I couldn’t resist.

Seriously though, that does look like an impressive unit! I wonder why they bother with 7 composite inputs with such a high end device. I haven’t used a one in my theater for 7 years. Would you retire your HTPC to running spreadsheet and maintaining Curt’s Website? I’m curious though, do these units have any type of on screen GUI like the Sony ES STR-DA5200ES, that did impress me but to be honest its real world usefulness may not be that great. It seems like most CRT guys don’t worry about their remotes. We care about picture and audio quality….arrrg remotes…that’s girly stuff. I think secretly I like the fact I’m the only one that know how to run my theater.

The Sony is a completely different class of unit more within my budget around 1K with amps and will scale analog to 1080p, was considering starting a thread about that unit and CRTs. I am afraid it probably does not have the scan rate flexibility we are used to with our HTPC’s and scalers but I would be curious to see how well it would work. Most of the review I read are mixed, some love it or some hate it but I have yet to seen anyone with a CRT use one. As audio equipment is beginning to include decent scaling capability this will continue to be a factor even more for us die hard CRT users and HDMI compatibility with our HDMI>RGBHV devices will all have to be weight too just to get the last ounce of life out the 150lb box hanging from the ceiling.

Mike

I was primarily looking at the D2 (over the D1) for the HDMI inputs so that I could do lossless audio over LPCM. (Yes, I could also do lossless with 5 or 7 analog inputs on the D1 preamp but I don't want to go that route. I want the prepro to do all of bass management and D->A conversion, and not all HD-DVD/BluRay players have analog outs anyway. There's about a $2000 MSRP difference between the D1 and D2 and I won't be paying anywhere near that).That's paying a quite a bit more just to hook up the same thing in a different way, but you're also getting HDMI switching and other features, so I can see where it might be worth it.

Holy Cow, 2 Power cords make sure you get two of these (http://www.elcoaudio.com/hpc10/) and they are impendence matched or else who know what would happen, perhaps the end of life as we know it. :) Sorry I don’t what to pull this thread off track on the whole power cord discussion but I couldn’t resist.

No discussion, enough electrical engineers around here so it is common knowledge cables like this are a scam. :)

I thought you matched your power amp to your speakers, not your preamp. Nice cosmetic match though...
Both (IMHO of course). Some preamps maybe brighter or more laid back sounding. Ie: You wouldn't want to match a bright preamp with a bright amp with bright speakers (unless you like that).

But you're correct that the amp <-> speaker match is probably more important to most people (at least that's how I see it). YMMV. You certainly should match the drive characterics/capabilities of your amp with what your speakers like. Some speakers like/need more good/high current power before they open up. Some speakers dip pretty low in impedance and not all amps will like that. I know my speakers (Paradigm Sig S8's) do like a lot of power - while they can be driven by just about anything (the load's pretty friendly), I don't find the have the same slam or control when driven by a small underdamped receiver. My current Acurus amps are pretty good, but I'm anxious to try'em with a P5. :)

Kal

The D1 has been discontinued.Really?? Didn't know that!

the Radiance is only in beta. Its scaling is much better than the scaling in the Gennum chip used by both Lumagen and Anthem.
I'm confused. The Radiance is the product name, Lumagen is the company. And it uses the same Gennum VXP video-processing chip as the Anthem D2, or so I thought.... no?

Kal

I'm thinking this is a really cool pre that I might eventually want to own--until read that. For 8" CRTers that just sucks. Still a cool pre, but unless you own a 9" PJ, the scaler isn't going to be of much use.

Maybe when I get a 9" PJ or go digital...
You can still do 1080i/60 and apply all the features and gamma correction, etc. It's just that you can't do 1080i at custom refresh rates (currently) using the custom application.

Likely just a matter of time however... it's not a simple thing to implement I'm told but they're looking into it.

True though - it is a bummer.

Seriously though, that does look like an impressive unit! I wonder why they bother with 7 composite inputs with such a high end device. I haven’t used a one in my theater for 7 years.True! Though likely doesn't add much if any cost to the device.

Would you retire your HTPC to running spreadsheet and maintaining Curt’s Website? :) Nope. Though the HTPC is on it's way out the door. Soon to be retired. 7 years of use is pretty good IMHO!

I’m curious though, do these units have any type of on screen GUI like the Sony ES STR-DA5200ES, that did impress me but to be honest its real world usefulness may not be that great.There are some Gennum processor screenshots in the Anthem D2/AVM50 tweaking guide (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=678260) thread. Here's one:

http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/501/DSC03756_Medium_.JPG

Kal

No discussion, enough electrical engineers around here so it is common knowledge cables like this are a scam. :)
Yup. :) The only reason for the 2 power cords is to meet the rated output (all channels driven). 5 x 325W plus the loss introduced by the amp is more than what one wall outlet can do. I bet 99% of people could plug both cords into one 15A circuit and be fine. If I do go for the amp, I'll likely just pull one 20A (or maybe 30A if I ever want to add a 2-channel P2 to go to 7.1) line to the HT from the breaker panel and use that just for the amp(s). It's pretty easy for me to do and won't cost much (under $100).

Kal

Kal,
That interface does look circa Windows 95. How is the connection made from the PC to the processer via the RS232 port I presume? Humm I know a programmer that could doll up the PC interface perhaps in trade for a unit to test for period of time....HAHA.

Mike

That's paying a quite a bit more just to hook up the same thing in a different way, but you're also getting HDMI switching and other features, so I can see where it might be worth it.But it's not really the same thing as if you send LPCM direct from the source you're not introducing another D->A and A->D conversion as preamps mostly do everything in the digital domain and convert everything to digital right at input.

For example, if you hook up an HD-DVD player with analog outs it would look like this:

HD-DVD player D-to-A conversion analog output -> analog cable -> preamp input -> A-to-D conversion -> prepro processing -> D-to-A conversion and out to amps

The other way via HDMI:

HD-DVD player digital output -> HDMI cable -> preamp input -> prepro processing -> D-to-A conversion and out to amps

You're also using the (possibly) mediocre DACs in an inexpensive source device

And not all source devices have analog outputs to begin with.


Kal

Kal,
That interface does look circa Windows 95. How is the connection made from the PC to the processer via the RS232 port I presume? Humm I know a programmer that could doll up the PC interface perhaps in trade for a unit to test for period of time....HAHA. Yeah, it's ugly isn't it? :) Check out the Crytallio II manual for a *nice* implementation of almost the same features (and then some more).

Kal

Those 480i scaled to 1080p screen shots in the linked thread are very very impressive. I would sure like to see one in action. I would never make a buying decision on a screen shot but the detail is amazing considering the source.

Mike

Kal. 100% cetain the D1 has been discontinued. I know I am a dealer. In this discussion I could say the (Anthem or the D2) or the( Radiance or the Lumagen). Intent in this case is to refer to the specific product. You have a Mustang. I say does your Ford really go that fast? You get what I mean.


The Lumagen Radiance although it uses the Gennum chip does not use the scaling in that chip. It does use that chip's deinterlacing. The Radiance uses proprietary scaling developed by Lumagen and stored in a large field gate array chip. The scaling is ring free.

The thing that concerns me with all of these HDMI only I/O devices is the compatibility on both the Digital>Digital upstream and the Digital>Analog conversion we must do for our CRTs.

Is there a hardware compatibility list somewhere? I read problems after problem even with the digital guys on HDMI not handshaking properly. With Moome we have to change eproms for upgrades to work with newer equipment. Moome is doing the best he can and a great guy, but with the flood of new hardware it seems like there are major compatibility issues and there is no way for him or anyone else to cover of their bases.

I don’t really like playing “Wheel of Fortune” or trial and error getting my equipment talk to each other, especially on a piece of gear costing several thousand dollars.

Maybe those 7 composite inputs are there as a way to use your apparatus until all the firmware upgrades come in because you get HDMI to talk to each other or perhaps I am being pessimistic.

Mike

But it's not really the same thing as if you send LPCM direct from the source you're not introducing another D->A and A->D conversion as preamps mostly do everything in the digital domain and convert everything to digital right at input.

For example, if you hook up an HD-DVD player with analog outs it would look like this:

HD-DVD player D-to-A conversion analog output -> analog cable -> preamp input -> A-to-D conversion -> prepro processing -> D-to-A conversion and out to amps

The other way via HDMI:

HD-DVD player digital output -> HDMI cable -> preamp input -> prepro processing -> D-to-A conversion and out to amps

You're also using the (possibly) mediocre DACs in an inexpensive source device

And not all source devices have analog outputs to begin with.


KalAre you sure analog audio goes thru an A-D conversion in the pre? I highly doubt that happens. If so, I don't think that's at all a good thing. Doing a good job of converting analog to digital is a much bigger challenge than converting digital to analog.

If I'm right that analog stays analog throughout the pre, the only difference is where the digital signal gets decoded. Using analog outs from the player, the player does the decoding. Using the player's digital out, the pre does.

the Anthem will digitize the incoming analog input same as the Sherwood P965 I use, it then applys BM, time alignment, levels etc., the result is very nice audio IMHO

Kal, you lucky dog, a D2 :eek:

if it were me, I would skip on the D2 and do a alternate setup, the scaler is somewhat crippled compared to a outboard unit

I would get the Anthem AVM40 and one of the 3 big scalers, Lumagen Radiance, the Crystalio(cough pm cough) or the VP50, you come out with the best of everything that way, my suggestion? the Crystalio 3800, that way you are set with dual SD/HD-SDI inputs and a plethora of other goodies

if I was going to spend this amount of scratch, I would want the ultimate of both, the D2 while good is lacking a little for your money

-Gary

Gary did you see these screen shots from the D2?
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/501/DSC03611_Medium_.JPG
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/501/DSC03600_Medium_.JPG

I really don't know if these shot are real they look way too good to be honest from a 480i source. The detail to me looks as good as some of Cliff's HD shots although slightly smaller. I could hardly call them crippled.

The little bit I have read on the monster thread says the best results to upscaled 480i source is from a 480i DVD player with an HDMI output there isn't a lot of them out there most are 480p so it is a total digital path, you might call it SDI lite.

I see the MSRP on these but whats the going street price? I guess I will have to ask a dealer to find out.

Mike

Well hell, I didn't know HT preamps did that. I think my Parasound AVC-2500u pre converts analog to digital too. :( From the FAQ:

"Does it process signals using 24 bit processors?

Yes. The analog to digital (A/D), the digital to analog (D/A) and the surround processing (Motorola 56009s) are all done 24 bit. The chips chosen are performance matched to provide the very highest sound reproduction, with or without surround processing. D/A conversion has independent converters for each output channel."

From an audiofile's perspective, that's terrible. Not that I am an audiofile (more like an audioVILE), but I still don't like that too much.

BUT, my pre has an optional board that bypasses the digital stage for the 5.1 analog inputs:

"The 5.1 Analog Input jacks on the rear panel of the AVC-2500 are designed to accept up to six channels of processed analog output from a DVD audio or SACD player. Once the 5.1 VC is installed and activated, the AVC-2500 bypasses the internal digital signal processor and routes the signals directly to the 5.1 VC analog volume control card. Use the Digital buttons to select the Direct EXT 5.1 input."

Yey! :)

Gary did you see these screen shots from the D2?
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/501/DSC03611_Medium_.JPG
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/501/DSC03600_Medium_.JPG

I really don't know if these shot are real they look way too good to be honest from a 480i source. The detail to me looks as good as some of Cliff's HD shots although slightly smaller. I could hardly call them crippled.

The little bit I have read on the monster thread says the best results to upscaled 480i source is from a 480i DVD player with an HDMI output there isn't a lot of them out there most are 480p so it is a total digital path, you might call it SDI lite.

I see the MSRP on these but whats the going street price? I guess I will have to ask a dealer to find out.

Mike

Mike mere screenshots and words can't describe the D2 status as a viable player in the scaler world

what I mean by crippled is that Anthem slaps a Gennum in their top pre-amp, that doesn't equal the Gennum in the Crystalio, why? Anthem doesn't have the experience or skills that a team of dedicated video professionals like Pixel Magic, DVDO or Lumagen have to code it correctly, implement features, needed adjustments, future updates, algorithims and prcoessing improvements, these scaler companies are 100% dedicated to scalers and have been for years, 5 components can have the same chip in them and 4 of them be total ****, but 1 in the hands of dedicated video pros will be amazing

the D2 is a crippled processor compared to the Crystalio, Lumagen or DVDO units, how much? I have no idea nor am I saying it is anywhere near to bad, just saying it's not on a level 100% equal to dedicated scalers

I hear people everyday in the video processors forum say "stuff the VP50 or the 3800pro", my new Denon/Pioneer receiver has a Reon or some such :rolleyes:

-Gary

It just dawned on me. For the speakers to have delay settings, the analog signal would have to be converted to digital. So any pre with that feature is going to have an A/D converter. Other than my current pre, there's not much of a way of avoiding it. I guess I'm just going to have to get use to it. :)

Phil, most pre-amps don't apply those adjustments to the analog inputs, there are very few that do in fact, thats why all these pieces of gear like the Toshiba HD player, SACD players etc. have those adjustments built in

some pre-amps go as far to offer 2 modes, the digitized or 100% analog bypass, I think the Anthems may be this way, not sure

most pre-amps from a few years back offered a BM switch for the analog input, but did not apply levels or distances

I sought out the Sherwood P965 for the very reason of digitized analog inputs, the 8 channel input is fully adjusted (even lip sync) and is darn good, but my days are numbered with analog, I have my eye on the new Integra DTC-9.8, I am ready for PCM via HDMI :)

-Gary

Gary we've come full circle. That was my initial argument: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11091303&&#post11091303

Mike mere screenshots and words can't describe the D2 status as a viable player in the scaler world
-Gary

Gary, I agree 100% on making a purchase decision on a screen shot, I said that earlier in the thread. I would without a doubt have to see one to be truly sold I am still pretty happy with the scaling my HTPC with fdshow does. I am really not in the market for one anyway, its way out of my league right now and a Blu-ray drive in the HTPC should make me happy for a while for 300 bucks. If I was shelling out 4.5K of my hard earned cash I would want to see the competition head to head be sure.

In regards to the software, many coders these days are contractors, they do not work for any given company. I was one myself, not in audio or video but business apps. There could be a possibility that Sonic Frontiers hired some of these guys to do the coding. Another possibility is that sometimes the larger the company gets the more inefficient and top heavy. They hire a manager that ticks off one or two clever people and you could lose a small team of key people to a competitor starting a new department. Bigger company like to think they own their intellectual property, which is not something you can truly own in a virtual product when it is in some ones head, it can always be taken elsewhere often improved upon the second time at impressive speeds.

Often development tools are supplied by the chip manufacturer and the coder just follow a cook book to implement features with impressive results. This was the case when I worked on the Hi-Pix open source project years ago. We had a software engineer from Microsoft on the team that used Teralogic (Hi-Pix Chipset) tools for the driver. He took a terrible unstable product and made it very robust in a matter of weeks…Part time!

Many of the people that worked on the dScaler or fdshow open source project for instance could probably write competent code also.

I am not saying this is the case but it is possible and you cannot rule out a product just by who made it, especially in the virtual world of today.

What I see as the weakness of this product is UI on the customization software, but that is just a bolt on and realistically how often would you use it? It actually looks like it might have been a debugging tool the developers used and they just decided to throw it in as is.

I am curious Kal, have you actually seen one of these babies in action?

Mike

Are you sure analog audio goes thru an A-D conversion in the pre? I highly doubt that happens. If so, I don't think that's at all a good thing. Doing a good job of converting analog to digital is a much bigger challenge than converting digital to analog.
Yes, I'm sure it does this. 99% of hi-end prepro's do this. It's not an issue.

"The D1 uses Analogue Devices AD1896s sample rate converters to take everything coming in to 24/192 regardless of input sampling frequency, including Dolby Digital and DTS after they've been decoded into discrete channels, and any digitized analogue material."

See: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_2/anthem-statement-d1-ssp-6-2004-part-2.html

See the section titled All 24/192, All the Time!.

My Acurus ACT-3 from 1997 also did this, just not as high a quality sampling.

If I'm right that analog stays analog throughout the pre, the only difference is where the digital signal gets decoded. Using analog outs from the player, the player does the decoding. Using the player's digital out, the pre does.
Every quality prepro that I know of today does everything in the digital domain. There's simply too much to be done in the analog domain. Been this way for years. Some of the features (like parametric equalization coming soon on the D2 as a free upgrade) just can't be done in the analog domain.

Kal

Yes, I'm sure it does this. 99% of hi-end prepro's do this. It's not an issue.It may be the norm fro HT pres, but I disagree about it not being an issue. The main purpose of the add-on board in my pre is keep the signal path analog for HDCDs. Ideally, the less you do to the signal the better. That would especially apply to ADCs. I haven't checked, but I seriously doubt any stereo pres have an ADC.

I am curious Kal, have you actually seen one of these babies in action?I have not! Just finishing off the researching stage... actual listening will be the next step, though it's proving to be harder then expected...

I'm not in a hurry... My last major audio upgrades were 10 years ago. I want these ones to last me a good 10+ years. Hopefully 20!

Kal

I have not! Just finishing off the researching stage... actual listening will be the next step, though it's proving to be harder then expected...

I'm not in a hurry... My last major audio upgrades were 10 years ago. I want these ones to last me a good 10+ years. Hopefully 20!

Kal

LOL, yes you are as bad as me on the upgrades....I see you finally upgraded the old Barco 800. I haven't been real active around here for the last couple of years. I been focusing on my job...not it’s time to sit back and have a little fun again. What is your HTPC a 900 MHz?

Mike

I would love to hear and see a Anthem in action myself, but there policies sort of turned them away from me pretty quick

1st of all they have no dealers anywhere in KY, 2nd they do not allow purchasing via phone, mail or internet from any dealer outside your area, 3rd they do not allow purchases second hand, if so no warranty or upgrades transferred, 4th their dealers stick hard to full MSRP prices

there may be ways to find around this, but it pretty much keeps me from owning one

-Gary

I would love to hear and see a Anthem in action myself, but there policies sort of turned them away from me pretty quick

1st of all they have no dealers anywhere in KY, 2nd they do not allow purchasing via phone, mail or internet from any dealer outside your area, 3rd they do not allow purchases second hand, if so no warranty or upgrades transferred, 4th their dealers stick hard to full MSRP prices

there may be ways to find around this, but it pretty much keeps me from owning one

-Gary

That is killer...Sounds like business must be good for them if they are that demanding on their dealers.

yep, thats what I thought also

I will get over it I guess, I would love to see what B&K or Sherwood Newcastle has cooked up, but I will probably go for the Integra DCT-9.8 here in a week or so as my current pre-amp just went belly up :mad:

-Gary

LOL, yes you are as bad as me on the upgrades....I see you finally upgraded the old Barco 800. I haven't been real active around here for the last couple of years. I been focusing on my job...not it’s time to sit back and have a little fun again. What is your HTPC a 900 MHz?P3/800Mhz and TheaterTek. Still works great but it's time to move on. :)

1st of all they have no dealers anywhere in KY, 2nd they do not allow purchasing via phone, mail or internet from any dealer outside your area, 3rd they do not allow purchases second hand, if so no warranty or upgrades transferred, 4th their dealers stick hard to full MSRP prices

there may be ways to find around this, but it pretty much keeps me from owning oneYep. You can't order over phone/internet, that's true. But I've never had problems with the other things: None of my dealers are sticking to MSRP.

Kal

well thats great Kal, regarding the MSRP, knock your self out and enjoy! :D

-Gary